Im planning an Upgrade, I just have a few questions first.

[neil]

Hello everone.
I have pretty much decieded that it is time to upgrade, so i have a couple of question that i would like to run by you guys first.

This is what i am looking to get:
-amd 2000xp
-asus a7v266-e (w/ onboard sound. i dont need the raid or lan)
-512mb 2100 crucial

Also i need a case, i am not sure which one to get. I was think about getting a full tower, but usually the extra HD storage is way up top and its a pain in the as* to get the ide cables to reach. So i was thinking that i should go with a midtower, i just dont want everthing packed in there so the is no room to move stuff around if needed.
Here is what i have to fit in the case:
-4 5.25 bays
-4 to 5 HDs also.
I am going to have a couple of HDs running off of a PCI IDE card. so i need all the HDs to be in the lower fornt of the case, so that the cables will reach.
Any suggestions?

stupid little questions:
What kind of ram do is compatable with the a7v266e? unbuffered, ecc, regestered?
Does the cpu come with a heatsink/fan? if not, any recommendations? do i need to buy the thermalpaste also? (im probley not going to overclock)
How many watt PS do i need? 350watt?
Is there anything that i should beware of?

thanks
-neil

 

[PlatinumGold]

neil

have you considered a p4??

i don't wanna come off sounding like a Intel Fanboi or anything, if you check my sig you can see i got an AMD rig, but man, that Northwood w/ a DDRam Chipset is SWEEET.

1.6's OCing to 2.2 or higher w/ stock HSF. WOWSERS.

and look at prices. you can get Northwood P4 1.6 and MSI 645 Ultra (MB) for 221.00 + S&H.

or u can opt for the Northwood P4 1.8 for about $50 more.

If you made your decision after thoroughly researching both Intel and AMD then I apologize. If Intel had never been considered before because of what pricing USED to be, i'd definitely check into it if i were you. You might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[brashquido]

Are you really desperate to upgrade now? With the release of the Hammer and sATA planned for this year, it may be an idea to wait a bit. The realease of this new hardware is probably going to be the most significant change in architecture since the K6-2>Athlon . sATA is supposed to be capable of up to 533MB/S (Currently ATA-133 is supposed to be able to reach 133MB/S) and the Hammer will be completley different so current motherboards will not be compatable with them.

If you still want to go ahead and upgrade, I'll answer you're question as best I can;

Q. What kind of ram do is compatable with the a7v266e? unbuffered, ecc, regestered?

A. Unless you are putting together a server, don't bother getting anything more than standard RAM. As for compatability, check the hardware vendor website, but at a guess I'd say they'd all be compatable.

Q. Does the cpu come with a heatsink/fan? if not, any recommendations? do i need to buy the thermalpaste also?

A. Depends on who you buy it from, make sure you check before buying. The GlobalWin range is usually good for fans (and cheap). You'll only NEED thernal paste if you don't get a fan with the CPU.

Q. How many watt PS do i need? 350watt?

A. It looks like you plan to have a fair bit in there. It might be even worth thinking 400watt. It's always better to have more power, than not enough!

Q. Is there anything that i should beware of?

A. If you don't get a fan with you CPU, DON'T turn it on without getting one. A high end AMD CPU is capable of frying itself in a matter of seconds!